Planning chiefs are considering proposals to build a new cycle route between two towns.

Plans for a five-mile cycle path alongside the River Ouse from Newhaven to Lewes have been submitted to Lewes District Council.

The route, known as Egrets Way, was chosen by the South Downs National Park (SDNP) as one of the projects to benefit from £3.8m in government funding last year.

The cash comes from the Department of Transport’s Linking Communities Fund – which aims to help local communities across the country improve cycling facilities and routes.

If successful, it will be the third complete phase of a project that has already seen routes open from Kingston to Lewes in September and the recent reconstruction of a one mile bridleway between Rodmell and Southease.

The new route will create a safer option for cyclists travelling between the towns and will provide an alternative to current options on the A26 and C7 roads.

Neville Harrison, chairman of the Ouse Valley Cycle Network, said: “It’s very exciting to see this work on another section of the Egrets Way under way.

“We believe that, in time if further negotiations and funding bids are successful, people will use the completed network every day to get to schools, the shops, rail stations or visiting friends.”

Allison Thorpe, who leads on access and recreation for the South Downs National Park Authority, added: “Egrets Way will be easy to get to by train so offers local people and visitors the opportunity to discover another way to get out and explore the South Downs.

“Pubs, farm shops, cafes and visitor attractions will hopefully also all benefit from the new route.”

Drop-in sessions for residents will be held at the Hillcrest Centre in Hillcrest Road, Newhaven, on Friday from 3pm to 6pm. A second drop-in session will be held on Sunday at the Linklater Pavilion, Railway Lane, Lewes, from 2pm to 5pm.